Replaceable pour cap

ABSTRACT

A pour cap for a placement on a plastic container that includes: a base; a nozzle stem extending from the base, wherein said nozzle stem retracts into a top of the pour cap in a closed position and extends at a vertical angle from the pour cap in an open position; a spout extending from the nozzle stem, wherein the spout provides a means to release and allow the flow of liquid through the open nozzle stem; and a gripping surface extending around the perimeter of the top of the pour cap. The spout includes an end cap and the end cap is adapted to open to allow flow of liquid through the spout. The stem rotates radially in the open position and a vent may be provided in a top surface of the base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/463,072 filed on Feb. 24, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a pour cap that is used on a conventional liquid container.

Description of Related Art

Conventional liquid containers used for liquids such as milk or juice that include a pop top or a screw-on top. The typical container is either a gallon or a half gallon with a small handle provided. The bottle or container is generally shaped in a jug shape and includes a jug-type opening. The handle helps to maneuver and pour the liquid out of the container although the jug opening could be difficult to control in certain instances. This could lead to spillage especially for younger children or older adults who may be handling the plastic container. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a convenient pour cap that could be substituted on the top of the half gallon or a gallon container to assist in controlling the pouring of the liquids in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pour cap for a placement on a plastic container that includes: a base; a nozzle stem extending from the base, wherein said nozzle stem retracts into a top of the pour cap in a closed position and extends at a vertical angle from the pour cap in an open position; a spout extending from the nozzle stem, wherein the spout provides a means to release and allow the flow of liquid through the open nozzle stem; and a gripping surface extending around the perimeter of the top of the pour cap. The spout includes an end cap and the end cap is adapted to open to allow flow of liquid through the spout. The stem rotates radially in the open position and a vent may be provided in a top surface of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a pour cap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the pour cap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts use of the pour cap to pour a beverage.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a pour cap that is substituted onto the top of a conventional gallon or half gallon plastic container. These plastic containers are commonly used for milk and/or juice and usually include a handle integrated into the plastic container. The pour cap according to the present invention twists onto the top of the plastic container and provides a pour cap that includes a spout extending from the nozzle stem that releases and allows the flow of liquid through the open nozzle stem. The nozzle stem rotates radially when in a closed position in order to allow access to the liquids within the container.

In reference to FIG. 1, a side view of the pour cap 40 is depicted. The pour cap 40 includes a nozzle stem 22 that extends at an angle as shown in FIG. 1. The pour cap 40 includes a top 42 and a gripping surface 44 around the perimeter of the pour cap 40. The stem 22 retracts into the top 42 when not in use and rotates between an on and off position to allow the vertical displacement of the nozzle stem 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The nozzle stem 22 includes a spout 20 to allow the pouring of a liquid from the container. When in the closed position, the nozzle stem 22 is within the top 42 and therefore in a closed position. In this closed position, the nozzle stem 22 rotates radially as shown in FIG. 2. In the on position the nozzle stem 22 may be lifted to allow pouring liquid and in the off position the nozzle stem is adjoined with the top 42 in a closed position. This stem 22 extends at an angle from a rotating base 45 as shown in FIG. 2. Another feature as seen in FIG. 2 is a vent 41 that enables the effective transfer of liquid through the nozzle stem 22. This pour cap 40 is a suitable replacement for the traditional cap on the container. FIG. 3 demonstrates use of the pour cap 40 to pure a beverage in glass 50. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pour cap for a placement on a plastic container comprising: a. a base; b. a nozzle stem extending from the base, wherein said nozzle stem retracts into a top of the pour cap in a closed position and extends at a vertical angle from the pour cap in an open position; c. a spout extending from the nozzle stem, wherein the spout provides a means to release and allow the flow of liquid through the open nozzle stem; and d. a gripping surface extending around the perimeter of the top of the pour cap.
 2. The pour cap according to claim 1, where the spout includes an end cap and said end cap is adapted to open to allow flow of liquid through the spout.
 3. The pour cap according to claim 2, wherein the end cap includes a lip.
 4. The pour cap according to claim 1, where the stem rotates radially in the open position.
 5. The pour cap according to claim 1, further including a vent in a top surface of the base. 